Social-Emotional Learning Teacher: Job Outlook, Education, Salary

Social-emotional learning is a methodology that helps students better feel their emotions, understand why they’re feeling them, and demonstrate empathy toward others. This type of learning can help students become more self-aware and create a safer, more inclusive classroom. 

SEL instruction has become more common due to the benefits it offers students, such as improved academic performance and behavior. In the 2021-2022 school year, 76% of principals and 53% of teachers reported using an SEL program or materials in their school.

Alongside academic demands, students must learn various social and life skills to become successful contributors to society. Although SEL isn’t a defined subject, such as social studies or math, educators can specialize in SEL and incorporate related concepts or activities into their curriculum to help students gain these valuable skills. 

At-a-glance: social-emotional learning teacher

An SEL teacher is a student-facing, classroom management role that works in a variety of pre-K-12 school settings. SEL teachers may lead their own classes, work in small groups, or assist individual students by integrating SEL themes into their overall teaching style. 

For example, teachers may assign tasks, such as journaling, open-ended projects, or role-playing assignments, that focus on student creativity and self-expression. Other educators may use evidence-based instructional materials or resources that teach their students social, emotional, and cognitive skills. 

SEL teachers may also work with students with identified behavioral, mental health, social, or emotional needs, as well as students with individualized education plans.

Regardless of the educational setting, SEL teachers typically have a good grasp of their own social or emotional competencies and understand the importance of SEL methodology to ensure students receive a quality education.

Social-emotional learning teacher job description

SEL teachers are primarily responsible for teaching academic and SEL lessons to students through various instruction methods while being flexible for those who may need extra help grasping these concepts. 

Typical duties of an SEL teacher may include:

• Providing academic and SEL instruction throughout the school day
• Teaching emotional regulation strategies and conflict resolution skills to small groups or individual students
• Developing assignments that give students the opportunity to practice their SEL skills
• Grading projects, papers, quizzes, and other assignments
• Identifying new ways to increase inclusivity in the classroom
• Meeting with special education or general education teachers, administrators, and parents to discuss students’ needs, identify necessary interventions, and modify curriculum
• Gathering and analyzing data to monitor students’ progress toward their goals
• Participating in ongoing training or professional development opportunities and staying current with new SEL research and best practices

SEL teacher responsibilities can vary depending on the type of school they teach at and grade level they specialize in. Teachers may also have students who experience difficulty understanding SEL concepts and require remedial help.

Who makes a good social-emotional learning teacher?

An effective SEL teacher is:

• A skilled communicator who values their students as human beings
• Able to recognize and understand how their personal thoughts, emotions, and values affect their behavior
• Able to develop lessons and make informed instructional decisions in the best interest of students
• Passionate about SEL competencies, strategies, and research
• Able to effectively manage stress and practice de-escalation strategies in challenging situations
• Patient when instructing students who need extra help
• Good at collaborating with parents and administrators
• Sensitive toward students with diverse backgrounds
• Growth- and goal-oriented

Social-emotional learning teacher in-depth

Education requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Typical time to earn a graduate degree: 2-4 years

A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is needed to become an SEL teacher. Since SEL has become increasingly popular over the past few decades, many universities now offer a master’s program or specialization in SEL that can be obtained after 30 to 36 credit hours. Students enrolled full-time usually complete an advanced degree in about 2 years. 

While teaching experience isn’t always a hard requirement, having it on a resume can help SEL teachers stand out when applying for jobs. The level of experience and education needed can also vary depending on the school and grade level being taught. 

Average salaries for social-emotional learning teachers

The average salary for an SEL teacher varies widely depending on state, skill level, and professional experience. It can also fluctuate based on the degree an applicant holds, the school they work for, and grade level they teach. According to ZipRecruiter, most SEL teachers earn between $41,500 and $60,000 a year. Compensation may also be paid hourly, with the national average for SEL teachers falling between $25 to $28 per hour.  

Here’s a snapshot of the current average annual salaries for SEL teachers:

• Glassdoor: $61,654
• PayScale: $63,076
• ZipRecruiter: $55,186

Job outlook for social-emotional learning teachers

As more schools incorporate SEL into their curriculum, the demand for SEL teachers is expected to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t have data specific to SEL teachers, but job outlook for overall employment in education, training, and library occupations is expected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. 

However, that statistic fluctuates depending on whether an educator teaches high school, middle school, or kindergarten and elementary school. According to data from BLS, employment in these grade levels is projected to increase by the following percentages:

• High school teachers: 5%
• Middle school teachers: 4%
• Kindergarten and elementary school teachers: 4%

Challenges and opportunities for social-emotional learning teachers

Advantages

• SEL teachers have the opportunity to build strong relationships with students in small groups or one-on-one settings.
• SEL teachers can positively impact students who struggle with traditional instruction.
• SEL teachers tend to have a good grasp on how their emotions and values inform their teaching to better assist their students.
• SEL teachers are exposed to students from a diverse range of social and ethnic backgrounds.

Disadvantages

• Not every school offers an SEL curriculum or program.
• There’s a lack of teacher training in SEL competencies and research.
• Administrators or parents may not understand or support SEL.
• Extra time and support may be needed to help students struggling with SEL concepts.

Professional development

SEL is a relatively new field that emerged in the United States in the mid-1990s. The rise in popularity has led to a demand for more teachers trained in SEL instruction, but it’s also led to more competition within the field. Pursuing professional development opportunities can help SEL teachers stay competitive. 

Continuing education

After earning a bachelor’s degree, SEL teachers may go on to pursue an advanced degree to acquire further training or skills in the field. An advanced degree combined with teaching experience can make educators more competitive when searching for a job.

Some schools also offer their teachers stipends for personal professional development opportunities, such as courses or certifications. Depending on an educator’s career goals, publishing original research or studies in SEL can also open more employment opportunities and solidify them as an industry expert. 

Professional associations

Several professional associations provide resources and support for SEL teachers:

• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning 
• National Education Association
• The Institute for Social & Emotional Learning
• Social-Emotional Learning Coalition
• The Wallace Foundation